Indonesia: challenges to Christians
07 Jul 2023
Church building in Indonesia is subject to onerous requirements, including the requirement to get signatures from 60 neighbouring households - each of which must be non-Christian - before permission to construct a church building can be granted. Often Islamist groups engage in lobbying local authorities and communities to try to prevent churches from being built, despite the support for religious freedom voiced by the central government. Pray that Christians will be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves in navigating these difficulties (Matthew 10:16). President Widodo’s government successfully dissolved two hard-line Islamist organisations, Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia and Islamic Defenders Front. However, a new group has now emerged - the Islamic Reformist Movement, funded by Saudi Arabia. Hostility from Muslims towards Christians varies across Indonesia, a vast country comprising thousands of islands. Even if the central government supports Christians, provincial and local authorities may be hostile.
Israel: anger reignited
07 Jul 2023
The roots of violence, despair and hatred between Palestinians and Israelis goes deep, generated by possession of the land. The latest Israeli attack on the West Bank targeted the ‘unified command centre for the Jenin Brigade’ which has been at the heart of twelve months of escalating violence (over fifty recent attacks have come from there). Bulldozers drove through the Palestinian refugee camp which was also attacked by aircraft, reviving a tactic it halted two decades ago. Eight Palestinians were killed and one Israeli. For over a year, army raids have been linked to a series of deadly attacks by Palestinians against Israelis and rampages by Jewish settlers against Palestinian villages. Israel said it was striking terrorist infrastructure targets and armed gunmen in the Jenin camp and shared documents showing Jenin as a ‘stronghold of terrorist activity’ where half the people belong to militant groups. However, the scale of the attack on Jenin has drawn strong criticism from many sourcres.
USA: cocaine found at White House
07 Jul 2023
The US Secret Service is investigating how cocaine was found at the White House, with visitor logs and footage combed for clues. The discovery in the West Wing, which contains the Oval Office and other working areas for presidential aides and staff, led to a brief evacuation. Secret Service agents found the powder in a storage facility routinely used by White House staff and guests to store mobile phones. White House staff are permitted to give tours of some parts of the West Wing to friends and family. Visitors who are not accredited staff must store mobile phones and other personal belongings in cubicles.
Syria: relief finally arrives
07 Jul 2023
Ten UN relief trucks carrying aid finally reached northwest Syria four months after huge earthquakes rocked the region. This was the first aid convoy to cross from government territory into a rebel-held enclave since aid deliveries became a political pawn following the disaster. Pray for the 15 million Syrians needing help to survive, and for God to comfort an estimated 8.8 million people affected by the earthquakes; they may have a roof over their heads, but their hearts remain unsettled. Every new aftershock triggers a flashback and trauma. No one knows when the earth will stop moving. Pray for the global church as it continues to offer help and hope. Syrian Christians have been helping earthquake survivors from day one. Believers are telling people about God’s love, which their consistent presence shows is real.
Iran: ‘Great Awakening' exploding
29 Jun 2023
Over many years we have prayed for Iranians to receive Christ as their saviour. Christianity is illegal: yet despite facing torture, imprisonment, and execution, millions are forsaking Islam and converting to Christianity despite the regime targeting believers, spreading false information, and encouraging a negative opinion about Christianity. The Family Research Council, suggests that new Christians' witness to others is mostly shared in quiet conversations, encouraged by low-profile online Bible studies, and affirmed by visions, dreams, and miraculously answered prayers. Recent Christian converts are enthusiastically communicating about their changed lives with friends and loved ones. Their discreet, persistent witness accounts for an extraordinary number of new Iranian believers meeting in small house churches. Those involved with house churches are convinced that there are several million Christian believers there in a mass exodus from Islam. The churches of Muslim Background Believers lack clergy and church buildings. It consists of self-starting disciples and small house churches.
Kosovo: Christian ministry
29 Jun 2023
In 1994, Georges started training and encouraging three young believers, who went on to plant and lead a small church among Albanian Muslims. Since then, their work has steadily grown and flourished. Now that tiny church has multiplied and planted dozens of ministries which have spread across Kosovo. Georges returns regularly to provide training to about 100 indigenous church leaders. To read his story, click the ‘More’ button.
Adam Peaty shares newfound faith
29 Jun 2023
Britain’s superstar breaststroke swimmer Adam Peaty has revealed that a newfound faith in God helped him overcome alcohol misuse. He has started going to church every Sunday and said, ‘It’s about being a better person. Not only a better athlete and fulfilling my gift, but also being a better dad for George. There are so many other reasons. It gets quite deep. But it’s great to be a part of.’ After surgery for a foot injury and then struggling with his mental health, he reached out to the Olympic chaplain Ashley Null.
The Home Office (HO) is leaving British people homeless by outbidding local councils for accommodation. HO contractors are bidding for accommodation for asylum seekers, while the number of British people having to stay in temporary accommodation is near record levels. Asked on three separate occasions why its contractor paid more than councils can afford, the HO refused to comment. The problem is most acute in London, where 166,000 people are in temporary lodgings - more than the population of Oxford. There was no suggestion that the HO or asylum-seekers created the problem, but it is contributing to homelessness. The councils are spending £52m a month on temporary accommodation and will not outbid each other, because they want to protect taxpayers. There needs to be the same partnership with the HO. Pray for housebuilders to invest in building more affordable housing.